The Thrifty Six are Red-y for the Holidays
With only four days left until Christmas, The Thrifty Six are bringing you some festive holiday styles all focused on the color red. We are a group of six international fashion and lifestyle bloggers and influencers coming to you from all around the world. We span at least three different decades of life and we each have our own unique and individual style with a shared passion for preloved clothing and second hand shopping. Our goal is to share a variety of ways to be stylish while doing a little something good for the environment.
With our focus on preloved and second hand items, we want to share ways that you can stay stylish on a budget while also making a small contribution to helping our environment. Every month, one member of the group chooses a theme and we share our outfit creations with you to hopefully inspire you to shop more second hand and less fast fashion.
For December, Grace of Graceful Rags has chosen the theme Red-y for the Holidays with the focus being on the color red. For purposes of this group, at least one outfit item that satisfies the chosen theme must be preloved or thrifted.
As soon as I saw the theme Grace had chosen, I knew immediately that I wanted to style this red tartan blazer that I found on a recent thrifting adventure this fall. I picked it up at my local Thrifty Shopper on the same visit that I found this red satin Mandarin style jacket. While green is my forever favorite color, red comes in a very close second as my favorite color to wear.
While I don’t incorporate this bold hue into my home decor choices except during the Christmas holiday, it is a color that I find myself reaching for in my closet time and again. There is something special about the way this color draws attention and delivers a beautiful impact that always implies passion whether it be love or anger or any other big emotion that falls within that spectrum.
Red is known to be a very emotionally intense color that can enhance human metabolism and raise blood pressure. It is also a highly visible color which can be used to stimulate quick decision making in advertising that will result in impulse buying from consumers. This color is also used to warn of danger, evoke erotic feelings, and increase energy levels. Red is symbolic of strength, health, vigor, lust, and danger and is directly associated with many holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas.
And here we are right in the midst of the Christmas season, appropriately and festively donning our favorite red thrifted outfits.
When I create an outfit specifically for The Thrifty Six style prompts, I try to incorporate as many preloved items as I can to show how you can really shift your shopping habits to more second hand and less fast fashion without sacrificing personal style.
As I already said, my red plaid blazer is a preloved item. My cropped jeans and Harley Davidson tank top are also preloved items that I have had for a few years. Also, some of my strands of pearls are thrifty finds that I have collected over the years. Everything else was already in my closet with the newest item being my red pom pom hat that I scooped up on clearance from Old Navy last winter.
When it came time to get styling this outfit, however, I wasn’t all that sure the direction I wanted to go. This red tartan blazer can be dressed up or down in so many ways that I had to first to decide what type of look I wanted to create. And then, as inspiration often does, it came upon me like a flash of lightning when I was watching The Voice a few weeks ago.
Gwen Stefani was wearing this incredible matching denim outfit featuring a tiger applique down the right sleeve and right pant leg. (Click the link to see the outfit on her Instagram feed.) While her outfit is nothing like mine, it was the silhouette and proportions that really struck me. Her denim jacket is the same boxy shape as my tartan blazer and the jeans are a similar style to mine as well. I love the pairing of sleek statement stilettos with the boxier style of the outfit. And slowly, the image of what I wanted to create started to take form.
Initially, I was just going to wear my Harley tank top under the blazer, but it is winter and winters are cold where I live. As a last minute addition, I grabbed my favorite old plaid tunic which is literally falling apart at the seams for another layer of insulation. Fishnet stockings and floral heels finished off this fun mix of prints for a non-traditional but super fun holiday style.
It was a really frigid day in the North Country when we embarked on a drive around town to find a photo location. The ground was covered in ice everywhere we went. Fortunately, I had worn an old pair of lug sole boots to get from my house, down the icy driveway, and into the car. When we arrived at this spot for photos, I swapped out my boots for the heels and precariously tiptoed a few feet from the car, fearful of venturing so far from where I could grab hold of my car to prevent my ass from meeting the ground.
I am lucky to say that I did not fall on this day although I am no stranger to mishaps of this sort during photoshoots. Fortunately, I have a high resistance to pain even though I will complain about it relentlessly until it subsides. Complain as I might, I will rarely take medication other than marijuana for any type of pain relief. But that’s just me…a clumsy, accident prone, pot smoking goofball.
And now I do believe that is enough prattling on about me. Let’s get to the gorgeous styles of my thrifty friends!
The Thrifty Six is a group of international fashion influencers who meet once a month in our little space on the internet to share our thrifty outfits. On the third Monday of every month, we will all share an outfit based on a theme that features preloved wardrobe pieces. Shopping and reselling preloved clothing is so much better for the environment and you can find some of the best fashions in thrift or charity shops. The Thrifty Six are here to inspire you to shop second hand!
The Thrifters:
- Emma of Style Splash
- Grace of Graceful Rags
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Lucy of Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva
- Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
- Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
Emma of Style Splash
“I came across this gorgeous red military style jacket on eBay recently. I was the only bidder so I managed to snag it for the starting price of £5! The quality is fantastic, much better than I’d anticipated. I teamed it with a zebra print mini skirt and long black boots to make the red really stand out.”
Emma
Grace of Graceful Rags
“It was my turn to pick the theme this month, and I immediately knew I wanted to feature this red thrifted BCBG dress that I purchased for only $1! As I started adding accessories, I realized this old fashioned purse (which was more expensive than the dress – $6!) and this gorgeous sparkly necklace were both thrifted as well. While not the most practical holiday outfit for 2020, it’s always fun and uplifting to play a little dress up.”
Grace
Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
“I’m Little Red Riding Hood…lost in the forest on my way to grandmother’s house…only kidding – it’s me, Jane! Red’s the theme for the Thrifty Six December style focus and I’m taking it to the max! This is an authentic Scandinavian, pure wool maxi skirt, I’ve teamed it with a chunky pillarbox red sweater and a quirky vermilion beret. The accent colour is tan, a great contrast to the red and it picks up the orangey stitch detail in the skirt. Dressed head to toe in red I feel totally empowered! – I don’t often wear this colour but now I’m tempted to become a ‘Scarlet Woman’!!!”
Jane
Lucy of Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva
“And here we are, The Thrifty Six, with such an appropriate theme for Christmas: Red! I had such a blast putting together this gorgeous thrifted ensemble. There’s nothing I love more than an easy right off the rack outfit that says: Ready to Go! I paired it with my all time favourite sequin vest…and then opted for the two- different-coloured booties! A true mish-mash that speaks originality- just like I love!”
Lucy
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
“Nothing I am wearing here is pre loved. When this photo was taken, about 5 years ago, I wasn’t into pre loved. But……Castor was pre loved!! We bought him, that sounds weird, we were so lucky to call him ours, also weird but alla, from a breeder. Who, of course otherwise we wouldn’t have ended up at her place, loved her cats to pieces. So this is my pre loved ‘item’! Castor! Yeah right, but he is not red, I hear you say. No indeed, I am a bit cheating this month. But he does wear a red Santa jacket which I got from a friend years ago. So a pre loved cat with a hand me down jacket!”
Nancy
And me…
“I recently found this red tartan blazer at my local Thrifty Shopper and it was so perfect for the holiday season that I just couldn’t resist it. Although I had absolutely no reason for purchasing it other than I thought it was so cute…until Grace called Red for this month’s theme! My Harley Davidson tank top, my jeans, and a few of my pearl strands were also preloved items purchased a few years ago. Everything else was shopped from my closet. This combination was inspired by a Gwen Stefani outfit that she was wearing recently on The Voice!”
Shelbee
What are you wearing this holiday season? Do you get festive in holiday hues? Or maybe holiday themed apparel is more your thing? And probably many of you have opted for comfortable loungewear for this particular holiday season!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
35 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
That is so funky and festive!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
Shelbee, you look fabulous! I love everything about the way you’ve styled this outfit. I could totally see Gwen Stefani wearing it too. What a brilliant find the blazer was and it looks like it fits perfectly.
I love the addition of the pearls. You always know how to wear pearls and look effortlessly cool!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Suzy, thanks so much! I am glad to know that it looks effortless because sometimes it’s not! Haha. Although this outfit came together with very little effort. I hope you have a great holiday vacation and can get home safely!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
Thanks so much, Shelbee! <3 <3
Kellyann Rohr
Great outfit, love where you got your inspiration. That tartan blazer has limitless possibilities but I just love it with the denim, the Harley tank and all the pearls – such a cool and edgy vibe. Interesting too about the color red – no wonder SALE is often in big red letters! You are inspiring me to get out and check out some thrift stores, they seem to be a thing of the past around here and instead we have franchise thrift stores popping up. The prices are higher and the selection not as good.
Enjoyed this so much!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kellyann! There is something so cool that I love about a blazer and jeans with sassy shoes. I think it is the unexpected contrast between tailored and edgy that interests me the most. And yes, that is exactly the reason sale signs are usually in red…to subconsciously persuade you to make the impulse buy. That’s some smarty pants marketing right there! I have been hankering to get out and go thrifting as well. Most of the thrift shops here are also chains like Salvation Army and Thrifty Shopper, but the donations, I believe, are from local sources. Maybe I am incorrect though. I will have to look into that! I hope you have the most wonderful holiday week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I love the flowers on your heels!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Honestly Shelbee I’m gonna try to copy this exact same outfit- I Must!! What I love best is how you made it super special and spiffy with the pearl addition- clash of fabulous!! I also want a jacket like that!!! And of course…from the Shelbee collection: Best shoes ever!! xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lucy, thank you so much! You have no idea how my heart sings to know that fabulously stylish you is sartorially inspired by little ole me! I do thrive on the unexpected clashing of things in my outfits! Which is probably one reason why you and are get along so well. And these shoes…I scooped these up at Target a few years ago on clearance and they were less than $10. I have definitely gotten at least $10 worth of fabulousness out of them! And um…hello…can we talk about your shoes for this theme?! OMG. You are so freaking cool and totally amazing!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
The color red really does look fabulous on you! Love this jacket and the pairing of floral heels with the plaid! And you have so many fabulous pearls!!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ellie, thank you so much, my friend! I really do love to wear red! I hope you have the most fabulous Christmas!
xoxo
Shelbee
Katie
Love how you styled this plaid coat! Your shoes are fabulous as well! Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
-Katie
http://www.hellokatiegirlblog.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Katie! I was really happy with the way this all came together! I hope you have an amazing week and a very happy holiday!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
I do love tartan and this look! Tartan always reminds me of the 80 s, punk, Vivienne Westwood. And you wear the blazer so cool with those sexy jeans!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I have always loved tartan since Cyndi Lauper rocked her amazing plaid pants in the 80’s! This was a fun theme for December. I love the way we have all interpreted it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
I love your dressed up/dressed down outfit, Shelbee! The shoes caught my eye (and reminded me that I forgot to gush over your velvet boots in the previous post, and to thank you for the link-up, which I shall be joining shortly), and then the casual jeans, then the blazer and the pearls – oh my!
I was surprised to see you’re a pot-smoker. I don’t talk about it (at ALL) on my blog, but hey, I live in Canada and I quit drinking 3 years ago. How’s a girl supposed to have fun, eh? ;-P
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Sheila, oh my gosh, I adore you! Thanks so much for this comment. I absolutely love the contradiction of super dressy items with dressed down items. It really suits my Gemini soul! For example, I almost always wear combat boots with formal gowns…for nearly every Army formal that I have attended during my husband’s military career, combat boots seemed to be the appropriate choice of footwear! I even wore combat boots on my wedding day! And I publicly discuss my pot smoking all the time because I don’t care any more what people think! Haha. It has literally saved my life. I used to exist in a near catatonic state from the dozens of psychiatric medications I was prescribed for Bipolar Disorder many years ago. I swear those medications were going to kill me before anything else did. I switched to marijuana for anxiety and other mood issues and have been otherwise medication free for almost 15 years! I feel like I have to share that information openly in case it can help someone else! Now to get it completely legalized here would be a grand step in the right direction. Or I could just move to Canada. Which I am not entirely opposed to!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mireille
I was wondering how you managed on that icy ground! I love how the stilettos look paired with this silhouette. I don’t have much red in my closet despite loving to wear it so I found a red turtleneck sweater that I got with a gift card for Christmas day! I really want to prioritize thrifting next year so I can still shop but spend less money shopping 😀.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I was very, very careful, Mireille! Haha. Plus my husband is always an arm’s length away ready to catch me if I slip (or take the photos of my fall so he can laugh at me later)! Ever since this pandemic began, I have been much more focused on shopping my closet or second hand shopping when I need a little retail therapy. It really does make me feel better about spending. And honestly, when I go out thrifting, I feel like the money I spend is for entertainment more than goods because it is the process of digging around in the thrift shops that I really enjoy! And if I spend $20 on things I don’t need, I consider it $20 spent on an afternoon’s entertainment. I would spend more going to a movie in the theater! I love that you are shifting your focus to preloved as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very lovely. Love the look.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
First off, those heels are Da Bomb! This is a fun outfit! So cheerful with all the red pieces, and in a style that I have come to think of as your specialty – the juxtaposition of exquisitely dressy items, like your heels and fishnets, with dressed down items like the ripped jeans. And I’m glad you did not fall on your ass!
I have found marijuana to be the best thing for my fibromyalgia pain.
(Please excuse the run-on sentence.)
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Haha, thanks so much, Michelle! Your apology just made me chuckle! I love the way you have phrased my specialty…”the juxtaposition of exquisitely dressy items…with dressed down items.” That contradiction really speaks to my Gemini soul! I am glad that I didn’t fall on my ass, too! My husband would have laughed and laughed at me and probably taken a bunch of photos of the event! I hope you are enjoying this holiday week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
This is a fun challenge! I love your tartan blazer and heels! Such a cool and edgy look!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! It is fun adding the extra preloved requirement to these Thrifty Six prompts! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace
I love that you were inspired by Gwen Stefani for this look! This outfit is so cute and edgy Shelbee. It reminds me of something Jenny from Gossip Girl would wear! I love all the layers and pearls, and you can never go wrong with tartan this time of year. Such a great look!!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Grace, thank you so much! This was such a great theme for December! I had so many red thrifted items to choose from but since this tartan blazer was my newest preloved red acquisition, it needed to be shared! I love how festive everyone looks in their red thrifted outfits. And your red dress, my friend, is magnificent! What a find! I hope you have an amazing Christmas!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
I love the mix of dressy and casual in this look Shelbee! Those pumps are beautiful!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I do love creating contradictions like this in my outfits. It keeps things interesting, for sure!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
I totally get why you were drawn to that wonderful plaid jacket as I would have been as well. Your styling of this outfit is crazy awesome. Simply fabulous!
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh wow, thanks so much, Rena! I felt really sassy in this outfit and ready to take on the world! But then I just went back home and locked myself in my house as we do these days. LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
I really love red and aim to add more to my closet. I would love a red suit. I think a monochratic look in red always catches my eye! Kudos to you for taking pictures in fridged temps! I am a cold weather whimp when it comes to photos.. 10 min shoot here, 15 min shoot there!
I LOVE this outfit! I have been looking for boyfriend jeans to no avail and those are so cute with the addition of a graphic tee and that fab plaid jacket! You are the shoe Queen my friend, I am always interested in seeing what you have on!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, thank you so much for this lovely comment! Red really is one of the most striking colors to wear. And monochromatic red in one outfit is even better! Oh, you just made me so nostalgic for this gorgeous red raw silk pant suit I had back in my corporate days. The pants were cropped skinny pants and it was the darn sassiest suit I owned. I also had it in black, but obviously the red was way more dramatic. And I am done with photos in 10-15 minutes as well. It’s too darn cold here!
xoxo
Shelbee